View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

12/14/2023

U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces New Federal Funds to Help Close the Digital Divide in Wisconsin Throug…

U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces New Federal Funds
to Help Close the Digital Divide in Wisconsin Through President
Biden’s Investing in America Agenda
December 14, 2023

To date, the Capital Projects Fund has awarded $9 billion for broadband, digital technology,
and multi-purpose community center projects in all 50 states, which those states estimate will
reach more than 2 million locations
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the approval of $140
million in federal funds for Wi-Fi and computers and improving multi-purpose community
facilities in Wisconsin under the American Rescue Planʼs Capital Projects Fund (CPF), part of
President Bidenʼs Investing in America Agenda. A key priority of the CPF program is expanding
economic opportunities and promoting connectivity in communities with unmet needs.
“Expanding internet access is central to expanding economic opportunity in communities
across the country,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. “This funding is a
key part of the Biden-Harris Administrationʼs historic investments to increase access to highspeed internet for millions of Americans and provide more opportunities to fully participate in
the 21st century economy.”
“High-speed internet is a necessity for Wisconsinites across the state to run their businesses,
attend school, manage their farms, and connect with friends and family,” said Senator
Baldwin. “I am proud to bring home this investment to connect families and businesses with
reliable broadband – ensuring more Wisconsinites can fully participate in the economy, kids
get the education they deserve, and families can connect with loved ones across the world.”
“Weʼve come a long way to expand access to high-speed internet access in Wisconsin and
build the local infrastructure needed to close the digital divide. Thanks to our e orts since
2019, more than 395,000 homes and businesses in Wisconsin will have new or improved
service,” said Governor Evers. “Meaningfully investing in expanding high-speed internet access
must be one of our top priorities to ensure our industries, families, and communities continue
to grow and prosper. With these new programs, we will have more opportunities to invest in

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1993

1/2

12/14/2023

U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces New Federal Funds to Help Close the Digital Divide in Wisconsin Throug…

the services that ensure both Wisconsinites and our state are prepared to meet the needs of
the 21st century.”
The CPF provides a total of $10 billion to states, territories, freely associated states, and
Tribal governments to fund critical capital projects that expand economic opportunities and
provide internet connectivity in communities with unmet needs. Through high-speed internet,
digital technology, and multi-purpose community facility investments such as the ones being
announced today, CPF funding is both closing the digital divide and bringing workforce,
education, and health care services to communities in need.
Wisconsinʼs awards include two funding streams: $33 million for digital connectivity
technology projects, and $107 million for multi-purpose community facility projects. The first
award will fund a competitive grant program administered by the Public Service Commission
of Wisconsin that allows non-profits and other eligible entities to apply for funding to deploy
computers and other devices, install Wi-Fi equipment in targeted multi-dwelling units, and
provide digital navigation services to help residents use the devices for work, education, and
health monitoring. The second award will fund the stateʼs Flexible Facilities Program, a
competitive grant program to assist communities in funding improvements to facilities such
as libraries and community centers. These awards are in addition to $42 million in CPF
broadband infrastructure funding that Treasury announced in 2022.
The Treasury Department began announcing state awards in June 2022. To date, CPF has
awarded approximately $9 billion for broadband, digital technology, and multi-purpose
community center projects in all states and the District of Columbia, which these states
estimate will reach over two million locations with expanded internet access, in addition to
the hundreds of thousands of individuals who will be served annually by multi-purpose
community facilities.
###

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1993

2/2